Practical Geriatrics ›› 2026, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (1): 78-82.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2026.01.016

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Research progress on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of vascular cognitive impairment

WANG Yifang, LI Tingting, WU Jin   

  1. Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210011, China
  • Received:2025-07-27 Published:2026-01-16
  • Contact: WU Jin, Email: wujin@njmu.edu.cn

Abstract: Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the second most common cognitive disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. With the acceleration of population aging, the incidence of VCI continues to rise, becoming a significant public health concern. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding VCI pathogenesis, focusing on multiple pathological processes including cerebrovascular lesions, neurovascular unit dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The diagnostic methods of VCI are also introduced, which mainly include clinical symptom assessment, neuropsychological testing, and imaging examinations. The standard of Vascular Impairment of Cognition Classification Consensus Study (VICCCS) provides a standardized diagnostic framework. This article also discusses the research progress of drug therapy and non-drug intervention, and puts forward the diagnosis and treatment ideas of VCI based on the latest evidence.

Key words: vascular cognitive impairment, cerebrovascular lesions, neurovascular unit, treatment strategies, pathogenesis

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